Yesterday (10 Nov), 3,481 new COVID-19 cases were reported by the authorities.

This seems to have been a mistake, as the actual number was 3,482, comprising 3,481 humans and one unlucky lion.

Yes, for reasons unknown, the coronavirus has started infecting lions in the past week.

1 More Lion Tested Positive for COVID-19 in S’pore Zoo

Yet another lion has tested positive for COVID-19, and this time at the Singapore Zoo.

The African lion is the fifth lion to be a confirmed carrier of the virus after four Asiatic lions at the Night Safari tested positive a day earlier on Tuesday (9 Nov).

Like the other lions, the African lion was tested as it had exhibited respiratory symptoms.

No one is going up to a lion and shoving a swab up their nose, of course, unless they have a death wish. Instead, their fecal sample is tested for traces of the Sars-CoV-2 virus in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

Four Lions Who Tested Positive Were Exposed to Staff

Earlier, four Asiatic lions at the Night Safari were tested after they were seen coughing, sneezing, and wheezing.

It turns out that the four lions were exposed to staff from Mandai Wildlife Group who tested positive for COVID-19, including three keepers from the Night Safari Carnivore section.

Lions Isolated; Exhibit Closed

The Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) said it has issued an order to Mandai Wildlife Group to isolate the nine Asiatic lions and five African lions as two separate groups, within the Night Safari and the Singapore Zoo.

All lions, including the five that tested positive, are isolated within their respective dens.

The Asiatic lion exhibit along the tram route at the Night Safari has also been closed since Sunday (7 Nov) after the lions exhibited symptoms.

Lions Are “Bright, Alert, & Active”

The good news is that the authorities expect the lions to make a full recovery. Though five of them are unwell, they are said to be “bright, alert, and active”.

Vitamin C has been added to their diets, but no medications have been given to them.

WHO: COVID-19 Cases Should Limit Contact with Pets & Other Animals

Earlier this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed that the coronavirus can spread from humans to a number of animals, including cats, dogs, lions, tigers, and minks, to name a few.

The organisation is still studying the effect of the virus on animals.

While it’s not yet clear which animals are most susceptible to the virus, the WHO advised COVID-19 cases to limit contact with pets and other animals.

“As viruses move between populations of humans and animals, genetic modifications of the virus can occur and these changes could potentially have consequences for the disease that infects humans,” a representative said.

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Featured Image: Facebook (Mandai Wildlife Reserve)